Rendell Announces $24.5 Million Rail Investment in 31 Counties

Thirty-nine freight rail companies and users can make upgrades and expand capacity with a $24.5 million state investment from PennDOT’s Rail Freight Capital Budget/ Transportation Assistance and Rail Freight Assistance Programs, Gov. Edward G. Rendell announced last week.

“Upgrading and expanding our freight rail lines helps maintain service and also opens the door to greater business opportunities,” Rendell said. “These investments will help meet growing demand for freight rail service and also help ease highway congestion by reducing the number of trucks on our roadways.”

The state will invest $15 million from the capital budget program and an additional $9.5 million from the Rail Freight Assistance Program.

The capital budget program is funded through state capital bond dollars repaid through General Fund revenues. The Rail Freight Assistance Program is provided through the state’s General Fund. The grants, which are authorized by the General Assembly, are administered by PennDOT’s Bureau of Rail Freight.

Locally, East Broad Top Railroad, Huntingdon County, is slated to received $700,000 to rehabilitate track to bring a rail spur back into service.